As I mentioned in my last post, Japan Play was held in two locations: Casa de Cultura and Bastionul Croitorilor. In this post I’ll show you what happened at Bastionul Croitorilor, where the traditional Japanese culture was in the spotlight. 

Dupa cum spuneam in postul precedent, Japan Play a avut loc in doua locatii: Casa de Cultura si Bastionul Croitorilor. In acest post va voi arata ce s-a intamplat la Bastion, unde atentia ne-a fost indreptata spre cultura japoneza traditionala.

On the ground floor one could try on yukatas, play with traditional japanese toys and admire a beautiful photography collection. 

Inauntru, la parter, se puteau proba yukata sau juca cu jucarii traditionale, iar pe pereti atarnau fotografii.

Unfortunately I missed the ikebana demonstration, but I managed to snap a few photos of the outcome. 

Din pacate am ratat demonstratia de ikebana, dar am reusit sa fac cateva poze ornamentului floral.

From ikebana to martial arts, the first floor was dedicated to demonstrations. There were Aikido, Iaido, Karate Shotokan and Jujutsu demonstrations. Out of all four I only got to see the Iaido because it was really, really crowded and people kept pushing until at one point I could barely see anything, so I left. 

De la ikebana la arte martiale, primul etaj al bastionului a fost dedicat demonstratiilor. Dintre cele patru de arte martiale (Aikido, Iaido, Karate Shotokan si Jujutsu) am reusit sa particip doar la Iaido deoarece a fost foarte aglomerat. Toata lumea se imbulzea si la un moment dat am ajuns atat de in spate incat nu mai vedeam nimic, asa ca am plecat.

On the third floor there were expositions. Calligraphy, Haiku, Maneki Nekos are only a few of the items that caught my eye. 

La etajul al treilea se gaseau expozitiile. Caligrafie, Haiku si Maneki Neko au fost doar cateva din exponatele care mi-au atras atentia. 

Saving the best for last, as I usually do. The fourth floor was absolutely breathtaking, I stood in awe the first time I’ve seen it. I was lucky enough to get in before the public, so I could take proper photos. Just look how beautiful all those hanging cranes are! 

Am lasat ce e mai bun pentru final, dupa cum mi-e obiceiul. Ultimul etaj iti taia rasuflarea, la propriu, prin frumusetea sa. In a doua zi a festivalului am reusit sa intru inaintea publicului pentru a face poze mai ales acestui etaj. Uitati-va cat de frumosi sunt cocorii…

I really liked the contrast between the Japanese and Western castles. 

Mi-a placut foarte mult ideea de a realiza acest contrast intre castele, unul traditional Japonez si unul European.

Japan Play Transylvania has been a wonderful experience and a breath of fresh air in out city. Hopefully, similar events will occur soon enough. Which did you like most, the activities related to traditional or modern culture?

JPT a fost o experienta minunata si o noutate pentru Cluj. Sa speram ca vom avea parte de tot mai multe evenimente culturale similare, nu neaparat legate doar de Japonia. Ce v-au placut mai mult, activitatile legate de cultura traditionala sau cea moderna?